AL'S COMMENTS: Long ago, when I began to get involved in the new Men's Movement, reclaiming my masculinity, John Wayne was a popular scapegoat for men who were taught to repress their feelings. One of the guys in my group pissed on the famous statue of John Wayne in front of the Great Western Bank building on Wilshire, to the whoops of all the guys in the group. ME? I have no attachment to the guy one way or the other, but he makes for a potent icon. And the song rings true for many. The song is not about John Wayne.

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JOHN WAYNE (Click HERE to preview/download the song.)

It’s hard these days for sensitive guys
I’m looking for truth but I come up with lies
I offer my shoulder, and she heaves her sighs
And at the day’s end it’s me who cries

CHORUS:

Sometimes I wish that I were John Wayne
When I start to feel the pain of love
And fear and grief and honesty
Sometimes I wish that I were John Wayne
Are all these feelings in vain?
If I tried to hide them all I’d go insane
Sometimes I wish I were John Wayne

It isn’t so easy to know how to feel
Should I move onward or take time to heal
Some feelings are fleeting, some feelings are real
I need to be open, I want to conceal

Chorus

If I had no feelings I might get more done
Fewer risks taken and more battles won
I might have more women and I might have more fun
But I’d be under the gun and not under the Sun

Chorus

Sometimes
Sometimes
Sometimes I wish
I wish I were John Wayne

MUSICIANS:
Al Polito: Vocals, Lead guitar, Acoustic rhythm guitar
John “J.T.” Thomas: Hammond organ
Andy Kamman: Drums
Al Wolovitch: Bass guitar

Recorded at harddrive
Produced by Doug Messenger and Al Polito